Manufacturing method for composite material structural component for aircraft and its structural component

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing a structural component includes a first step of attaching at least one conductive member to a surface of a base material made of a composite material and a second step of forming the base material by conducting electricity to part or the whole of the conductive member to generate heat and/or making an assembly of the structural component by conducting electricity to part or the whole of the conductive member to generate heat. Part or the whole of the conductive member contained in the structural component produced in the first and second steps serves as a member giving to the aircraft at least one of a lightning strike protection function, an anti-icing and deicing function and an electromagnetic interference shielding function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to methods for manufacturing a composite materialstructural component constituting part of an aircraft and to compositematerial structural components for aircraft.

(b) Description of the Related Art

The bodies of aircraft in flight, particularly, the leading edges oftheir wings, are often ice-coated. Such icing impairs the aerodynamicsof aircraft. To cope with this, a technique is conventionally known inwhich an electric heater or a heat source using exhaust heat from theengine is attached to a part of the outer surface of a structuralcomponent of the aircraft likely to be ice-coated (see, for example,WO99/15405).

As disclosed also in the above gazette, composite materials have beenrecently used as structural components of aircraft. Such a compositematerial structural component, particularly its portions likely to bestruck by lightning, such as wing leading edges, must have a lightningstrike protection function to prevent damage from lightning strike. Anexample of such a lightning strike protection function is a structure inwhich a metal mesh is disposed on the outer surface of the compositematerial structural component, as disclosed, for example, in PublishedJapanese Patent Application No. 2006-219078.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For example, in manufacturing an aircraft structural component from athermoplastic composite material, there may be a case where a conductivemember, such as a metal mesh or a metal foil, is attached to the surfaceof the composite material and heat produced by conduction of electricityto the conductor is used to make an assembly (for example, join parts ofcomposite material together) or carry out a forming process (forexample, soften the composite material and bend it).

If a structural component is manufactured from a composite materialusing the above technique, a conductive member for heating the compositematerial is necessary and may be left inside the structural componentwithout being removed after the completion of the structural component.Thus, the structural component includes an unnecessary member for theproduct. This means needless increase in the weight of the aircraftbody.

On the other hand, in the process for manufacturing an aircraftstructural component from a thermosetting composite material, anautoclave or an oven is used to heat and set a base material forproduction of parts or to secondarily bond thermally set parts to eachother with an adhesive film. Also in producing parts from athermoplastic composite material, an autoclave or the like may be used.Such an autoclave and an oven are expensive facilities. Therefore, thereis a demand for a manufacturing method for a composite materialstructural component without using the expensive facilities.

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing points and,therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate needlessweight increase of an aircraft due to a conductive member included in anaircraft composite material structural component and in turn reduce thenecessary cost for manufacturing facilities.

An aspect of the present invention is directed to a method formanufacturing a structural component made of a composite material andconstituting part of an aircraft. The method includes: a first step ofattaching at least one conductive member to a surface of a base materialmade of the composite material; and a second step of carrying out atleast one of forming the base material by conducting electricity to partor the whole of the conductive member to generate heat and making anassembly of the structural component by conducting electricity to partor the whole of the conductive member to generate heat, wherein part orthe whole of the conductive member included in the structural componentproduced through the first and second steps serves as a member giving tothe aircraft at least one of a lightning strike protection function, ananti-icing and deicing function and an electromagnetic interferenceshielding function.

With the above structure, first, in the manufacture, heat is generatedby conducting electricity to the conductive member attached to thesurface of the base material made of a composite material and the basematerial is heated by the generated heat. Thus, the formation of thebase material and/or the assembly of the structural component is carriedout to form the structural component.

The conductive member included in the structural component produced inthe above manner serves as a structural member giving to the aircraft atleast one of a lightning strike protection function, an anti-icing anddeicing function and an electromagnetic interference shielding function.In other words, the conductor for lightning strike protection, theconductor as a heat source for anti-icing and deicing, and/or theconductor for electromagnetic interference shielding is used as a heatsource in manufacturing the structural component.

The conductive member used as a heat source in manufacturing thestructural component is inherently an unnecessary member in a product.The use of the conductive member, however, as the conductor for lightingstrike protection, the heat source for anti-icing and deicing, and/orthe conductor for electromagnetic interference shielding prevents anunnecessary increase in weight of the aircraft body.

Furthermore, since the conductive member is used as a heat source, thestructural component can be manufactured without using an expensivefacility, such as an autoclave or an oven.

When the composite material is a thermoplastic composite material, thebase material and the conductive member may be joined together bymelting a thermoplastic resin in the thermoplastic composite materialthrough the heat generation of the conductive member.

Furthermore, when the composite material is a thermoplastic compositematerial, the base material may be deformed (for example, bent) bysoftening the base material through the heat generation of theconductive member.

Alternatively, when the composite material is a thermosetting compositematerial, the base material and the conductive member may be bondedtogether by setting an adhesive film through the heat generation of theconductive member.

Furthermore, when the composite material is a thermosetting compositematerial, the base material may be set through the heat generation ofthe conductive member.

Furthermore, when the composite material is a thermosetting compositematerial, parts of the base material or the base material and theconductive member may be bonded together by setting a thermosettingresin in the thermosetting composite material through the heatgeneration of the conductive member.

Particularly according to the method for manufacturing a compositematerial structural component using a thermosetting composite material,the setting of the base material or the thermal setting of the adhesivefilm can be implemented by conducting electricity to the conductivemember to generate heat. This eliminates the need to use an expensivefacility, such as an autoclave or an oven.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a structuralcomponent made of a composite material and constituting part of anaircraft. Furthermore, the structural component includes a compositepart made of the composite material and a conductor part made of aconductive material, and the conductor part serves as a part that givesto the aircraft at least one of a lightning strike protection function,an anti-icing and deicing function and an electromagnetic interferenceshielding function and functions as a heating element for at least oneof formation of the composite material and assembly of the structuralcomponent in manufacturing the structural component.

Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to astructural component made of a composite material and constituting partof an aircraft. Furthermore, the structural component includes acomposite part made of the composite material and a conductor part madeof a conductive material, and the conductor part serves as a part thatgives to the aircraft at least two of a lightning strike protectionfunction, an anti-icing and deicing function, an electromagneticinterference shielding function, a function of a heating element forformation of the composite material in manufacturing the structuralcomponent and a function of a heating element for assembly of thestructural component in manufacturing the structural component. In otherwords, the conductor part has at least two functions, whichcorrespondingly reduces the weight of the aircraft body.

As described above, according to the present invention, the conductivemember included in the composite material structural component for anaircraft provides a part giving at least two functions. In an example,the conductive member serving as a conductor for protection againstlightning strike, a heat source for anti-icing and deicing and/or anelectromagnetic interference shield in a finished aircraft is used as aheat source in manufacturing the structural component. Thus, the numberof conductive members included in the structural component is reduced,thereby reducing the weight of the aircraft body and reducing themanufacturing cost of the aircraft. In addition, since no expensivemanufacturing facility is needed, the cost for the manufacturingfacility can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aircraft structural componentaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (cross-sectional viewtaken along the line I-I of FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing procedure of thestructural component.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an aircraft structural componentaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention (corresponding viewof FIG. 1).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows an aircraft structural component A according to Embodiment1 of the present invention. The structural component A is a structuralcomponent constituting the leading edge of a wing in this embodiment.However, the structural component A according to the present inventionis not limited to the above structural component. For easyunderstanding, FIG. 1 expresses the thicknesses of layers constitutingthe cross section of the structural component A in a different mannerfrom their actual thicknesses.

As shown in FIG. 2, the structural component A includes an outer plate 1having a cross section curved substantially in the shape of the letter Uand extending in the direction of the wing span, and a plurality of ribs2 joined to the inner surface of the outer plate 1 at specifiedintervals in the direction of the wing span. Although not shown, beadsmay be formed on the inner surface of the outer plate 1.

Each rib 2 includes an arcuate web 21 curved around the inner surface ofthe outer plate 1 and a flange 22 extending laterally from the outeredge of the web 21 and having a joint surface (outward surface)adjoining the inner surface of the outer plate 1 and joined to it. Thecross section of the rib 2 has substantially the shape of the letter L.

The outer plate 1 and the ribs 2 constituting the structural component Aare made of a thermoplastic composite material in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a metal mesh 3 made such as of copper or aluminum isattached to the outer surface of the outer plate 1 over the entire outersurface. The metal mesh 3 is a mesh functioning as a conductor forlightning strike protection placed on the wing surface in a finishedaircraft.

Next, the manufacturing procedure of the structural component A isdescribed with reference to FIG. 2. First, a board-shaped base material10 made of a thermoplastic composite material is prepared and a metalmesh 3 is attached to the surface of the base material 10. As describedlater, the base material 10 and the metal mesh 3 can be fixed to eachother in the later process. Therefore, the attachment of the metal mesh3 to the base material 10 may be temporary attachment. Alternatively,the metal mesh 3 may be fixed to the base material 10 such as by anadhesive (see Process P1 in FIG. 2).

Next, electricity is conducted to the metal mesh 3 to allow the metalmesh 3 to generate heat. Thus, the base material 10 is heated, wherebythe thermoplastic resin contained in the base material 10 softens andmelts. Using the melting of the thermoplastic resin, the metal mesh 3can be fixed to the surface of the base material 10. In addition, thesoftening of the thermoplastic resin enables the deformation of the basematerial 10. Therefore, the base material 10 is bent and formed into theshape of the above-stated outer plate 1 such as by press working (seeProcess P2 in FIG. 2).

Furthermore, prepared are ribs 2 made of a thermoplastic compositematerial and formed in a predetermined arcuate shape in an unshownseparate process. The ribs 2 are joined to the outer plate 1.Specifically, the ribs 2 are pressed against predetermined attachmentpoints of the outer plate 1 while the outer plate 1 is heated byconducting electricity to the metal mesh 3, whereby the joint surfacesof the flanges 22 of the ribs 2 are joined to the inner surface of theouter plate 1 (see Process P3 in FIG. 2).

Thus, a structural component A including an outer plate 1 and aplurality of ribs 2 is completed. Throughout the above manufacturingprocesses, the metal mesh 3 used for heating the base material 10remains attached to the outer surface of the outer plate 1. After thestructural component A is assembled into the body of an aircraft toconstitute part of a wing of the aircraft, the metal mesh 3 is subjectedto a necessary treatment in order to function as a conductor forlightning strike protection.

Since in this manner the metal mesh 3 to be used as a conductor forlightning strike protection is used, in the manufacture, as a heatsource for forming the base material 10 and assembling the structuralcomponent A, this eliminates the need to additionally attach a heatsource for the manufacture, thereby correspondingly reducing the numberof conductive members as heat sources contained in the structuralcomponent A and reducing the weight of the aircraft body. Furthermore,since the process of attaching a conductor as a heat source in themanufacture is dispensed with, this reduces the manufacturing costcoupled with reduction of the number of parts.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 3 shows an aircraft structural component B (the leading edge of awing) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Thisstructural component B is different from the structural component Ashown in FIG. 1 in that a metal mesh 4 is interposed between the flanges22 of ribs 2 and the inner surface of an outer plate 1. The metal mesh 4functions as a heat source for anti-icing and deicing in the aircraft.

In manufacturing the structural component B according to Embodiment 2,in Process P3 of the manufacturing procedure shown in FIG. 2, the metalmesh 4 is attached to the joint surfaces of the flanges 22 of the ribs 2and the ribs 2 are pressed against the predetermined attachment pointsof the outer plate 1 while the flanges 22 are heated by conduction ofelectricity to the metal mesh 4, whereby the ribs 2 and the outer plate1 are joined. In this case, electricity may be or may not be conductedto the metal mesh 3 attached to the outer plate 1. Processes P1 and P2are carried out in the same manner as in Embodiment 1.

Thus, a structural component B including an outer plate 1 and aplurality of ribs 2 is completed. After the structural component B isassembled into the body of an aircraft to constitute part of a wing ofthe aircraft, the metal mesh 4 used as a heat source for the joiningprocess functions as a heat source for anti-icing and deicing in theaircraft. For this purpose, the metal mesh 4 is appropriately subjectedto a necessary treatment.

With the above structure, the metal mesh 3 to be used for a conductorfor lightning strike protection is used as a heat source in themanufacture and the metal mesh 4 to be used as a heat source foranti-icing and deicing is also used as a heat source in the manufacture.This correspondingly reduces the number of conductive members containedin the structural component B and reduces the weight of the aircraftbody. Furthermore, since the process of attaching the conductor and theheat source is dispensed with, this reduces the manufacturing costcoupled with reduction of the number of parts.

Although not shown, the metal mesh 3 may be dispensed with in Embodiment2.

Other Embodiments

Although in the above embodiments the conductive member used as a heatsource in the manufacture is a metal mesh, any conductive member will doand, for example, the conductive member may be a metal foil.

Furthermore, the metal mesh 3 attached to the surface of the outer plate1 in Embodiments 1 and 2 may not function as a conductor for lightningstrike protection but may be used as a heat source for anti-icing anddeicing or may be used as an electromagnetic interference shield, forexample. The metal mesh 4 interposed between the flanges 22 of the ribs2 and the outer plate 1 in Embodiment 2 may not be used as a heat sourcefor anti-icing and deicing but may be used for other purposes. In otherwords, the functions of the metal meshes 3 and 4 after the manufactureare not limited to specific functions.

Furthermore, the metal mesh 3 attached to the surface of the outer plate1 may be used to perform two or more functions, such as both of thefunction as a conductor for lightning strike protection and the functionas an electromagnetic interference shield.

Although in the above embodiments the composite material used is athermoplastic composite material, it may be a thermosetting compositematerial. In this case, a metal mesh may be used to apply heat to thebase material to form (set) it into a predetermined shape or may be usedas a heat source for setting an adhesive film in assembling formed partsof the base material by secondary bonding. Alternatively, the metal meshmay be used as a heat source in bonding and setting uncured basematerials to each other or bonding the base material and the metal meshto each other.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments but can beimplemented in various forms without departing from its spirit andessential characteristics. The above embodiments should therefore beconsidered in all respects as illustrative only but not restrictive. Thescope of the invention is indicated by the claims but not at allrestricted to the description. Furthermore, all modifications andchanges which come within the range of equivalents of the claims areintended to be embraced within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A structural component made of a compositematerial and constituting part of an aircraft, the structural componentcomprising a composite part made of the composite material and aconductor part made of a conductive material, the conductor part servingas a part that gives to the aircraft at least one of a lightning strikeprotection function, an anti-icing and deicing function and anelectromagnetic interference shielding function and functions as aheating element for at least one of formation of the composite materialand assembly of the structural component in manufacturing the structuralcomponent.
 2. A structural component made of a composite material andconstituting part of an aircraft, the structural component comprising acomposite part made of the composite material and a conductor part madeof a conductive material, the conductor part serving as a part thatgives to the aircraft at least two of a lightning strike protectionfunction, an anti-icing and deicing function, an electromagneticinterference shielding function, a function of a heating element forformation of the composite material in manufacturing the structuralcomponent and a function of a heating element for assembly of thestructural component in manufacturing the structural component.